Fishtank Ensemble: FAQ

1. Why are they called Fishtank Ensemble?
   
2. Why is the place in Oakland called "The Fishtank"?
   
3. How long have they been playing together?
   
4. Where I can I buy their CDs?
   
5. How can I book Fishtank Ensemble?
   
6. What style of music do they play?
   
7. What bands influenced the Fishtank Ensemble sound?
   
8. What's that funny banjo that Kevin is playing?
   
9. What's violen with the horn on it?
   
10. OK, so what's a Theremin?
    
11. What language is Ursula singing in?
    
12. I like Fishtank Ensemble. What other bands might I like?
    
13. How can I find out about Balkan-style bands in my area?
    
14. I want to hear more music by the members of Fishtank Ensemble?
    
15. How do I contact the band, their management, or their record label?
    
16. How do I contact the Webmaster?
    
17. What happened to Glenn Allen (double bass in 2005)?
    
18. Is the name of the band "Fishtank" or "Fishtank Ensemble"?
    
19. Who are the gypsies, and what do I call them?
    
20. How can I tell the first edition of Super Raoul from the second edition?
    

Frequently asked questions:

1. Why are they called Fishtank Ensemble?
   The band met at a place called "The Fishtank" in Oakland. This is a warehouse/performance space where a couple band members lived.

2. Why is the place in Oakland called "The Fishtank"?
   (1) The wall behind the stage is painted blue and has some tropical fish cut-outs stuck on it;
   (2) there is an aquarium in the bathroom. (3) According to one resident, it is called the fishtank because the large plate glass windows allow people to look in from the sidewalk.

3. How long have they been playing together?
   Since January, 2004.

4. Where I can I buy their CDs?
   The new CD Super Raoul is available now for fast and easy on-line ordering at CDbaby.com. It available directly from the band at shows.

5. How can I book Fishtank Ensemble?
   See "Bookings" on Contact page.

6. What style of music do they play?
   It's a blend. Romanian folk music forms the bulk of the material, with a healthy helping of Romani (Gypsy) music, Flamenco, Swedish folk music, Klezmer, French chanson, and Japanese (Tsugaru-style) folk music. You could call it "up-tempo acoustic traditional/eclectic". In record store categories, it's probably "International/Eastern European" or "World Music/Eastern European".

7. What bands influenced the Fishtank Ensemble sound?
   None, directly--unless you count the other bands to which members belong (see below). See suggested bands for other bandss you might like if you like Fishtank Ensemble.

   In the webmaster's fallible opinion, individual Fishtank members show the influence of, or admit to being influenced by, the following composers and styles of music:

   • Fabrice: folk music he learned in Romanian villages and from gypsy musicians throughout Europe.
   • Ursula: classical music, French chansons, Swedish folk music, among others.
   • Kevin: Tsugaru shamisen music, progressive rock, death metal, Yngwie Malmsteen and J.S. Bach.
   • Aaron ("Duckmandu"): classical music, klezmer and punk rock.
   • Doug, "El Douje"): traditional flamenco ("gitano"--gypsy--music from the Andalusia region of Spain) and classical guitar.
   • Tim: progressive rock, rap (especially Eminem), music for video games, boy bands, jazz, classical.
   • Adam Stacey: gypsy music, progressive rock, 80s music, Chopin and ragtime.
   
   
8. What's that funny banjo that Kevin is playing?
   It's a Japanese shamisen (also called jamisen or samisen). It has 3 strings and no frets, and it is played with a large plectrum called a "bachi". Kevin's style of playing is traditional to the folk music of the northern tip of the main island of Japan, the Tsugaru region (now part of Aomori Prefecture).

   The shamisen is unusual because: (1) even though it's a stringed instrument, the bachi striking the skin produces a percussive sound; (2) it's in the lute family but has no frets; (3) the Japanese tune the strings three different ways, and (4) known of these tunings has a fixed absolute pitch--the lowest note is chosen to match the singer's range. Also, Tsgaru-style shamisen music is the only traditional Japanese music where improvisation is encouraged.

   In terms of Japanese culture, the shamisen was a "popular" instrument associated with folk music, geisha, entertainers, and in the case of Tsugaru shamisen, (usually) blind beggars called "bosama". This contrasts sharply with Japanese instruments such as the koto, which is associated with the nobility and with "proper" young women.

   Perhaps the association of the shamisen with the common people is because the shamisen came to Japan from Okinawa and fairly late (in 16th century), and not directly from China much ealier as did many other instruments. The ancient Chiese sanxian became the Okinawan sanshin, which eventually became the Japanese shamisen (also called the samesen and in Tsugaru, jamisen). All three instruments are still played today.

   Also check out our instruments page.

9. What's violen with the horn on it?
   It's a violintromba, which means "violin trumpet". So there.

   Also check out our instruments page.

10. OK, so what's a Theremin?
    An electronic musical instrument created by Soviet scientist Leon Theremin (originally called Lev Sergeivitch Termen) in 1919. You often hear it in the sound tracks to 1950s Science Fiction movies. It works like this: the player never touches the instrument, but just brings a hand close to an antenna that sticks out of it. The original instrument had two antennas: a loop and a rod. The right hand (the rod) controled the pitch and left hand (the loop) controled the volume.

    Leon Theremin played his instrument for USSR dictator Lenin and toured Europe and the USA. He was a brillient scientist and had many other electronic inventions. (After his death in 1993, it came out that he had also been a spy for the KGB--a very successful one. He also invented one of the first electronic lisetening devices, or "bugs")

    Anyway, Ursula played a mini-theremin for a while, before returning to real love, the musical saw.

    Also check out our instruments page.

11. What language is Ursula singing in?
    Romanian, French, Japanese, or even English. Take your pick. And as many different styles.

12. I like Fishtank Ensemble. What other bands might I like?
    That's a tough question, because there is no other band quite like Fishtank Ensemble, and because they play so many different styles of music. And it is hard to predict what people will like with music this diverse.

    Experience shows that most people who like Fishtank Ensemble also like the famous Romanian folk group, Taraf de Haidouks. Those who like a more contemporary sound (and female vocalists), usually enjoy the Seattle-based Balkanarama. For a more traditional sound, cafe music and a female vocalist, try Balkan Cabaret (also from Seattle).

    Here are some more suggestions by category. The order listed under each heading is approximately the resemblance to Fishtank Ensemble in style, material or spirit (very subjective). (Click to read a note on how these selections were made).

    If you like...	You might like...
    Tsugaru shamisen, traditional	Contemporary: AKIHITO Narumi, NITTA Masahiro. Older: TAKAHASHI Chikuzan, YAMADA Chisato. On-line retailer (in UK, expensive): Farside Music
    Tsugaru shamisen, pop/rock	Yoshida Brothers (Domo Records) Agatsuma (Domo Records),
    "Gypsy"-style shamisen	Well, this is a tough one. Perhaps some of the music by NITTA Masahiro, a young shamisen player in Japan. Perhaps if there were a fretless banjo...the Turkish Cümbüs comes close. You can hear one here or in some pieces by the Hungarian klezmer band Di Naye Kapelye. (The cümbüs (pronounced "juhmbush") is a 20th century instrument invented around 1900 by music store owner of Macedonian descent living in Istambul, Zeynal Abidin. The instrument's name (which was suggested by none other than Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkey) means "fun"! It became a popular instrument with Turksih gypsies. What it has in common with the shamisen is that the standard version is fretless and about 34 inches long. On the other hand the player doesn't use large plectrum or strike the skin.
    Roma ("Gypsy") music from the Balkans	Taraf de Haidouks (ensemble - Romania), Mahala Rai Banda (brass band with strings - Romania), Fanfare Ciocarlia (brass band - Romania), Taraf de Metropoluntana (ensemble - Italy), Felix Lajko (violin - Hungary), Ibro Lolov (accordion -- Bulgaria); Saban Bairamovic (voice - Serbia), Esma Redzepova (voice - Macedonia), Anthology: Rough Guide to the Balkan Gypsies (catalog #: RGNET 1159 CD); Record labels: Piranha Records (Germany), Asphalt Tango Records (Germany).
    Balkan folk music, cafe music, and vocals	Saban Bajramovic (voice - Serbia, check out his CD with Mostar Sevdah Reunion), Esma Redzepova (voice - Macedonia), Balkanarama (ensemble - Seattle), Balkan Cabaret (ensemble - Seattle)
    Klezmer, Yiddish song	Traditional ensembles: Di Naye Kapelye (Hungary), Budowitz (USA), Contemporary ensembles: Klezmatics (USA), Klezmer Conservatory Band (USA). Anthology: Rough Guide to Klezmer (catalog #: RGNET 1047 CD).
    French cafe music	Edith Piaf, Josephine Baker, Jacque Brel
    Music of Kurt Weill	Lotte Lenya, Teresa Stratos
    Flamenco guitar	Sabicas, Nino Ricardo, Melchor de Marcenhna, Paco Peña, Paco de Lucia, Paco del Gastor
    Prog rock, fusion, neo-metal	Secret Chiefs 3, Estradasphere, or try the

13. How can I find out about Balkan-style bands in my area?
    

    The Balkanarama web site has a list (click here) of Balkan-style bands outside the Balkans.

14. I want to hear more music by the members of Fishtank Ensemble?
    

    If you want more...	Then try...
    Aaron Seeman accordian	Duckmandu!, Punk Rock Orchestra
    Doug Smolens ("El Douje") on Flamenco guitar	El Douje
    Tim Smolens on double bass (replaced by Glenn Allen in 2005)	Estradasphere, ISS
    Kevin Kmetz shamisen	God of Shamisen, Estradasphere (new album only), Secret Chiefs 3 (new album only)
    Adam Stacey percussion, accordian and keyboards	Estradasphere
    Tim Smolens, double base	Estradasphere, ISS, Don Salsa, Secret Chiefs 3.
    Glenn Allen, (2005 tour) double base	Willy Bologna

15. How do I contact the band, their management, or their record label?
    See the Contact page.

16. How do I contact the Webmaster?
    See the Notices page.

17. What happened to Glenn Allen (double bass on tour)?
    Glenn helped the band out during 2005, when regular bassist Tim Smolens couldn't tour. The band is very grateful for his contribution and his professionalism on short notice.

18. Is the name of the band "Fishtank" or "Fishtank Ensemble"?
    Well...we changed our minds a couple of times. It used to be Fishtank, but now it's Fishtank Ensemble. (However, both are trademarks of the band.)

19. Who are the gypsies, and what do I call them?
    They are people who speak the Romani (Ro-ma-ni) language. Sometimes this name is also applied to the people themselves). They preferred to be called the Roma (pronounced Ro-ma) or Rom ("man" or "husband"). Historically, they are people who migrated from India to Asia Minor, the Balkans, and eventually throughout Europe. Some settled down, but many remained nomadic.

    The English word "Gypsy"--usually applied to nomadic Roma--is dervied from "Egyptian"--in the mistaken belief that these people came from Egypt. All too often it has been associated with persecution and so has acquired a derogatory connotations. However, the term "gypsy" is commonly used when refering to music.

    There is no connection between "Romani", "Roma" and "Rom" and the names Romania, Roman, or Rome.

    The Roma are various known: in France they are the "Tsigane", in Hungary the "Cigány", in Italy the "Zingan", in Germany the "Zigeuner", in Spain they are the the "Gitanos" of Andalusia (originator of flamenco music); and in India the Lambani, Lambadi, or Raban.

    The Roma kept their own customs and laws and did not often mix with other people or intermarry. Consequently, they have retained much of their language and culture.

    Fortunately, gypsy musicians have always been willing to share their wealth of traditional music. They have also been quick to innovate new means for expressing their musical style. For example, none of the instruments we now associate with the Roma came from India. Roma musicans adopted new instruments (in approximately this order): the lute, the guitar (in Spain), the cymbalon, the accordion, the violin, the Cümbüs (in Turkey).

    How can I tell the first edition of Super Raoul from the second edition, and what's the difference?
    (1) The second edition has a cartoon on the cover, the first had a photographic montage; (2) the second edition has a copyright notice on the CD disk. Both editions have the same songs in the same order. The second edition is a better pressing--noticably on the two tracks "Hora di Bucharest" and "Suite Romaine". (However, the first edition is likely to become a collector's item.) Finally, the second edition is an independent release.